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Oconee County police blotter

Posted: Wednesday, November 25, 2009

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The Oconee County Sheriff's Office reported the following incidents:

Complaint: On Nov. 8, a deputy met with a 21-year-old woman who said her ex-boyfriend has been contacting her through text messages and Facebook despite a temporary protection order filed against him. The order, signed in February, ordered him to have no contact with the woman. The deputy told her to file a warrant against the 32-year-old man, who lives in North Carolina.

Trespassing: On Nov. 8, a deputy was dispatched about 3 a.m. to Circle C Mobile Home Park, where a man said a couple was causing some problems. The man wanted the couple, who both said they were homeless, to be banned from the park. The deputy located the 27-year-old woman and 30-year-old man and served them with a notice to stay out of the park.

Complaint: On Nov. 9, deputy David Burchett was dispatched to a home near the Eastville community, where a 36-year-old woman said another woman has been calling and texting her despite attempts to have the woman stop. Burchett called the 29-year-old offender, who lives out of state, and she explained she is in love with the Oconee woman and wants to be with her. Burchett, however, warned her not to call anymore or a warrant could be issued for her arrest.

Complaint: On Nov. 8, deputy David Burchett was dispatched to an Aiken Road, Bogart, home where a man said he had captured video footage of a vehicle that had been trespassing on his property. The man said someone had driven a vehicle through his yard between 2 and 7 a.m. over the past couple of months. The man and his neighbor rigged up a motion-sensitive camera and finally caught the offender on tape. The video was turned over to the deputy.

Damage: On Nov. 9, a deputy was dispatched to Bethabara Baptist Church on U.S. Highway 78, whose pastor discovered someone tried to break in through a door. Although pry marks were found, entry was not gained.

Theft: On Nov. 3, an employee of Rigsby Internal Medicine on Hog Mountain Road reported that a forged prescription from their office had been passed at an Athens pharmacy. The employee said a prescription pad was found Nov. 3 to be missing about 10 sheets. It was during this time that a patient was having her regular checkup, and the patient's name also was listed on the forged document. The deputy advised the office to file a report with Athens-Clarke County police.

Theft: On Nov. 9, a man reported a camera had been stolen from a tree near the driveway of a Bob Godfrey Road address. The man said he placed the camera there because of previous vandalism problems.

Complaint: On Nov. 9, a deputy was dispatched to Malcom Bridge Middle School, where administrators had taken a cell phone from a 14-year-old boy. The student was showing other students photos of two girls who had pulled up their shirts to show their breasts. The boy was charged with violating the Computer Pornography and Child Exploitation Act, then released to his mother.

Dispute: On Nov. 9, a deputy was dispatched to Circle C Mobile Home Park on Monroe Highway. A 68-year-old man said he had been punched in the nose after an argument with a boy whose dogs jumped on him and scratched him. The man said the boy threatened to beat him up, then another man punched him. The deputy located the juvenile, who said he was walking his dog when the dog jumped on a woman standing near the victim. He said the complainant then kicked his dog and he yelled in response. When the complainant walked toward him, the juvenile said his uncle punched the man. No arrests were made, but all involved were advised of the warrant process.

Theft: On Nov. 9, a Victoria Road, Watkinsville, resident reported a GPS unit was stolen from his unlocked vehicle. The man said he plans to approach the homeowners' association about thefts in his subdivision.

Fraud: On Nov. 9, a deputy met with an Echo Trail, Watkinsville, woman about fraudulent activity on two of her credit cards. The woman said $1,641 was charged on one card Oct. 16 for an airplane ticket to Malaysia. The other card was used twice for computer purchases at Best Buy stores in Geneva and Aurora, Ill., for a total of $5,673.

Complaint: On Nov. 11, deputy Joe Williams was dispatched to Holly Point Way, Watkinsville. A man said his neighbor down the street takes photographs of people coming and going from his home. He said the neighbor asked a mother and child visiting his home if they were there for piano lessons. When they replied they were, the neighbor snapped their photos and said she would see them in court. The man said he thinks the neighbor is upset because his family gives piano lessons at home. The neighbor explained to Williams that she is taking photos as evidence to give to the county's code enforcement officer. She said she already has court cases pending against three other neighbors for code violations.

Theft: On Nov. 11, a deputy was called to a home at Circle C Mobile Home Park, where someone had restored electricity to a home whose current was cut off by Walton Electric Membership Cooperative. A technician from Walton EMC was called back to the house, and he removed the meter and secured the power box.

Complaint: On Nov. 12, a deputy met with a woman and her 25-year-old daughter at their Sunshadow Lane, Bishop, home. A 36-year-old woman who lives near the Eastville community threatened the daughter that she would come over with a gun. A man who knows both parties witnessed the threat. The deputy told the mother and daughter to stay away from the woman, then told the woman to stay away from the others. The nature of their problem was not disclosed.

Theft: On Nov. 12, a deputy met with the owner of The Top Drawer on Hog Mountain Road after two women came into the store and shoplifted about $100 in merchandise.

Burglary: On Nov. 12, a deputy was dispatched to a Peacock Drive, Bishop, home whose owner said the door was kicked in and a large number of items were stolen, including a Yamaha Grizzly all-terrain vehicle, a Toshiba laptop computer, TV, radio, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, jewelry, movies and video games. Cpl. Dale Brown and investigator Lisa Price arrived to investigate the crime scene. Deputies located a witness who said a white pickup with a white camper shell was seen at the location about 9 a.m. Another person in the neighborhood said he was walking his dog about 11 a.m. when he noticed the garage door open, which he thought was unusual.

Threat: On Nov. 11, a 57-year-old woman told a deputy she received a threatening telephone call from a 21-year-old Athens man. She told the deputy she fears for her safety and that the man knows where she lives.

Theft: On Nov. 13, a Salem Road resident showed a deputy where someone had cut a wire fence and entered his property. Two motorcycles, a red 2000 Honda XR802 and a red 2007 Honda CRF 230, were stolen.

Fraud: On Nov. 13, a deputy was dispatched to McDonald's on Experiment Station Road, where a counterfeit $20 bill had been passed. A 59-year-old Roswell man told the deputy he probably got the bill in Cumming.

Complaint: On Nov. 13, a deputy was sent to North Oconee High School after the campus was locked down. A stranger had called inquiring about the school's security.

Theft: On Nov. 10, a deputy met with a staff member at Oconee County Middle School after a student's iPhone was stolen. The student who took the phone was located, and the phone was returned to the victim.

Arrest: On Nov. 13, a deputy was dispatched about 2 a.m. on a report of a reckless driver traveling on Georgia Highway 316. The deputy spotted the Buick LaSabre and after observing it traveling in and out of traffic, he stopped it on Epps Bridge Parkway. The driver said his passenger was intoxicated and he was taking him to Augusta. George Sibley Smith, 34, of Delano Street, Augusta, was arrested for driving while his license was suspended.

Theft: On Nov. 13, a Burson Avenue, Bogart, resident reported that two acquaintances took his Sony PlayStation without his permission. The complainant said he did not want to press charges.

Arrest: On Nov. 13, a deputy was dispatched to Walmart on Epps Bridge Parkway, where 63-year-old Penny Annette Proctor of Bulloch Mill Road, Danielsville, was arrested for shoplifting.

Complaint: On Nov. 13, a 28-year-old woman told a deputy that her ex-husband keeps sending her text messages and calling her. She said he followed her that day in his car, pulled up alongside her car and threw up his hands.

Fight: On Nov. 14, a deputy was dispatched to a fight on Rogers Road, where a man was being beaten with a chain. Three deputies arrived, and the 44-year-old victim had injuries to his arms, legs and head. The 37-year-old suspect already had fled the scene. The victim, who appeared intoxicated and refused transport for medical treatment, told the deputies he didn't wish to prosecute his assailant. The deputies couldn't determine what provoked the attack.

Theft: On Nov. 14, a 40-year-old woman reported her purse was stolen from her car parked at Walmart. She said she had canceled her credit cards, but found that her stolen cell phone was being used.

Arrest: On Nov. 15, deputies were dispatched about 10:30 p.m. to an Elder Mill Road home. The owner said Jeremy Nathan Scruggs became angry and began arguing with a 22-year-old Monroe woman while he and others were watching a sporting event on TV. Scruggs wanted the keys to the car so he could leave, but because he was under the influence, the others wouldn't hand over the keys. Scruggs went outside to try to find a hidden key and got even more upset when he couldn't find it. Scruggs then got a piece of wood and hit the car windows. When deputies arrived, Scruggs ran for the woods and couldn't be found despite a search. The deputies took statements from the witnesses, and as they were about to leave, one witness shouted that Scruggs had returned. Deputies found him trying to hide in a car. Scruggs, 29, of Williamston, S.C., was charged with damage to property under the family violence act.

Arrest: On Nov. 14, a deputy was dispatched to a Hebron Church Road home where a man and his wife have been separated for about a month. The wife said she and a friend were at the back of the house sorting through tools when her husband showed up and began an argument. She said he hit her twice in the face and picked up a piece of pipe to assault the friend before he left. The wife called for deputies, and the friend, not wanting to get involved, left. The wife also wouldn't provide his name and said she didn't want to press charges. The next day, the wife said her husband had returned to the home and damaged a car by dislocating the driver's side mirror and bending the antenna. Barry Wayne Pursley, 47, of Osborne Road, was arrested for stalking and trespassing.

The Watkinsville Police Department reported the following incidents:

Arrest: On Nov. 11, an officer on patrol about 2:30 a.m. stopped a 2006 Toyota 4Runner traveling 68 mph on North Main Street. He also observed the vehicle cross the center line and fog line. Steven Joseph Digiulio, 45, of Greensboro was arrested for speeding, failing to maintain a lane and DUI.

Wreck: On Nov. 15, a 2007 Lexus pulled out of a driveway on Harden Hill Road and collided with a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. No one was injured, including an 83-year-old man visiting from St. Lambert, Quebec.

The First Responders for Oconee County made 34 calls Nov. 9-15, including four wrecks with injuries and 16 medical calls.

The Oconee County Fire Department responded to the following incidents:

Nov. 10: Auto wreck at Rocky Branch Road/Old Waverly subdivision; auto wreck at Bob Godfrey Road at Clarke County line; tree down on U.S. Highway 441 near Morgan County line.

Nov. 11: Tree down on Gober Road at River Run subdivision; tree down at Price Mill Road/Branch Road; illegal controlled burn on 3000 block of Old Farmington Road; power lines down at 3 Thrasher Drive; tree down at Mars Hill Road/Fieldstone subdivision.